Ukiah Unified School District

Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for District Computer System

Student and Parent Appropriate Use Policy

This Acceptable Use Policy was adopted by the Board on September 14, 2010

The purpose of the Ukiah Unified School District’s (“District”) Acceptable Use Policy (“AUP”) is to prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful activities by users online, prevent unauthorized disclosure of or access to sensitive information, and to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (“CIPA”).  As used in this policy, “user” includes anyone using the computers, Internet, email, electronic chats, wikis, blogs, webpages, and any other form of direct electronic communications or equipment provided by the District (the “network”).  Only students enrolled in the District are authorized to use the network. All students using the network shall receive instruction in the proper and appropriate use.  

The District will use technology protection measures to block or filter, to the extent practicable, access of visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic, and harmful to minors over the network.  The District reserves the right to monitor users’ online activities and to access, review, copy, and store or delete any electronic communication or files and disclose them to others as it deems necessary.  Users have no expectation of privacy regarding their use of District property, network and/or Internet access or files, including email.

Acceptable Uses of the UUSD Computer Network and/or the Internet  

At the beginning of each year, schools must verify that students using the computer network and Internet access for that school year have a signed page acknowledging this policy. Students who are under 18 must have their parents or guardians sign this page and schools must keep it on file.  Once signed, this agreement shall remain in effect for one year and shall be renewed every school year prior to any computer network or Internet usage, unless the student loses the privilege of using the District’s network due to violation of this policy or is no longer a UUSD student.  Even without a signature, all users must follow this policy and report any misuse of the network or Internet to a teacher, Principal, or other appropriate District personnel.  Access is provided primarily for education purposes.  If a user is uncertain about whether a particular use is acceptable or appropriate, he or she should consult a teacher, supervisor or other appropriate District personnel.

Copyright of Published Works

The District reserves the copyright for all works produced using District equipment. Copyrighted material shall be posted online only in accordance with applicable copyright laws. Any materials utilized for research projects should be given proper credit as with any printed source of information. 

Unacceptable Uses of the Computer Network or Internet

As further outlined in Board policy and regulations of Student Use of Technology (BP 411 / AR 411.1), the following examples are considered inappropriate activity on the District network; however, the District reserves the right to take immediate discipline action regarding any activities (1) that create security and/or safety issues for the District, students, employees, schools, network or computer resources, or (2) that expend District resources on content the District, in its sole discretion, determines to lack legitimate educational content/purpose, or (3) other activities as determined by District as inappropriate.

• Violating any state or federal law or municipal ordinance, such as: Accessing or transmitting pornography of any kind, obscene depictions, harmful materials, materials that encourage others to violate the law, confidential information or copyrighted materials;
• Criminal activities that can be punished under law;
• Selling or purchasing illegal items or substances;
• Obtaining and/or using anonymous email sites; spamming; spreading viruses;
• Developing school­related web sites, blogs, forums, emails, or similar online communications representing the District or using District equipment or resources without the permission of the student’s teacher or Principal. All such forums shall include a disclaimer that the District is not responsible for the content of the messages.
• Promoting unethical practices or any activity prohibited by law, Board policy, or administrative regulations.

• Using profane, abusive, or impolite language; threatening, harassing, or making damaging or false statements, in print or any electronic media, about others or accessing, transmitting, or downloading offensive, harassing, or disparaging materials, in any electronic media including (but not limited to) photos, movies, and text;
• Deleting, copying, modifying, or forging other users’ names, emails, files, or data; disguising one’s identity, impersonating other users, or sending anonymous email;
• Damaging computer equipment, files, data or the network in any way, including intentionally accessing, transmitting or downloading computer viruses or other harmful files or programs, or disrupting any computer system performance;
• Using any District computer to pursue “hacking” internal or external to the District, or attempting to access information protected by privacy laws, or;
• Accessing, transmitting or downloading “chain letters”, large files, or any type of “pyramid schemes”.

• Using another’s account password(s) or identifier(s);
• Interfering with other users’ ability to access their account(s);
• Disclosing anyone’s password to others or allowing them to use another’s account(s).

• Using the Internet to buy or sell anything for personal financial gain;
• Using the Internet for personal advertising, promotion, or financial gain; or
• Conducting for‐profit business activities and/or engaging in non‐government related fundraising or public relations activities such as solicitation for religious purposes, lobbying for personal political purposes.

Student Safety

1. The student’s parent or guardian is responsible for monitoring the minor’s use and/or access to the UUSD network/accounts from outside of school;
2. Students shall not reveal, use or disseminate on the Internet any personal information about themselves or other persons. For example, students should not reveal their name, home address, telephone number(s), Social Security number or display photographs of themselves or others;
3. Students shall not meet in person anyone they have met only on the Internet; and
4. Students must abide by all laws, this Acceptable Use Policy and all District security policies.

Parent Access to Student Data and Electronic Classroom Environments

1. Student attendance and grade information is considered confidential and access to unauthorized student information is in violation of this Acceptable Use Policy.
2. Parents/guardians may not duplicate, distribute, or benefit financially from any work that is generated in an electronic classroom or school environment, such as through a classroom wiki, website, or blog.
3. The District reserves the right to revoke Parent/Guardian access to anyone who violates the terms of this Acceptable Use Agreement.

Use of Student Information

Because of the wide accessibility of the District network and potential risk to students, photograph(s) or videos of a student shall not be published without the prior written consent of the student’s parent/guardian. Photographs or videos of groups of students, such as at a school event, may be published provided that students’ names or personal information are not included.

Penalties for Improper Use

The use of a District account is a privilege, not a right, and misuse will result in the restriction or suspension of the account.  Misuse may also lead to disciplinary and/or legal action for both students and parents or guardians, including, but not limited to, suspension, expulsion, or criminal prosecution by government authorities.  

Disclaimer

The District makes no guarantees about the quality of the services provided and is not responsible for any claims, losses, damages, costs, or other obligations arising from use of the network or accounts.   Any additional charges a user accrues due to the use of the District’s network are to be borne by the user.  The District also denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through user access.  Any statement, accessible on the computer network or the Internet, is understood to be the author’s individual point of view and not that of the

District, its affiliates, or employees.

I have read, understand, and agree to abide by the provisions of the Acceptable Use Policy of the Ukiah Unified School District. I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the District and its officers, agents, and employees from every claim or demand made and every liability, loss, damage or expenses, of any nature whatsoever, which may arise out of, or are in any way connected with my failure to comply with this Agreement, except for liability for damages which result

from the sole negligence or willful misconduct of the District or its officers, employees or agents.

Date:________  Student ID #_______________________ School:_______________________      

Student Signature:______________________ Parent/Legal Guardian Signature:_______________________

Please sign and return this form to your school where it will be kept on file.  It is required for all students that will be using a District computer, accessing the District’s network, and/or Internet access.